Tag Archives: Dining

When served as a side to an otherwise healthy dinner this can be the difference between an okay meal and something really delicious. The recipe comes from Ina Garten and while I never seem to be able to follow recipes, this one is really easy. The total prep time is ~5 minutes and the cooking time is ~25 to 35 minutes.

This is one of those dishes that everyone likes. The recipe below is for two people so double this (or more) if you are cooking for a dinner party. I can guarantee you every last shallot will be devoured. When it is cooked, the smell is mouth watering and you can cut them with your fork.

Ingredients:

1 pound of whole, peeled shallots

3 tablespoon of butter

1+ tablespoonsof sugar

1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar

pinch of kosher salt

pinch of fresh ground black pepper

flat leaf parsley, finely chopped (as much or little as you like)

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:

Cooking tip: save yourself time and buy shallots that have already been pealed.
– Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
– Melt the butter in a medium pan over medium heat then add the shallots and sugar. Be sure to coat the shallots with the butter and sugar and stir them until they start to brown (5-10 minutes).
– Add the vinegar, salt and pepper and mix thoroughly then put the pan (uncovered) in the oven until tender and caramelized; about 20-30 minutes.
– Sprinkle with parsley and serve warm.

Cleaning tip: The most difficult thing about making this is cleaning the pan after. I suggest that after you cook the shallots and plate them, add some water to the pan with a little dish soap and leave it on low heat on your stove. Just remember to use your oven mitts when you grab the pan to clean it!

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Restaurants come and go but Cafe Heaven, conveniently situated on Commercial Street in Provincetown is a favorite that has stood the test of time. However, after one of the owners tragically died this spring I didn’t know quite what to expect when we visited. I’ll admit I was sad to walk in and not be immediately greeted by Alan, but the restaurant in every other way is as good as ever thanks to Patrick who runs the kitchen and the dedicated staff.

Cafe Heaven is probably best known for their breakfast, which is consistently excellent. The menu includes eggs benedict, omelettes, granola, yogurt etc. along with a few French Toast and pancake options always served fresh maple syrup.

Raspberry Pecan Pancake stack $13

On this visit two specials caught our eyes, the first was a stack of raspberry and pecan pancakes and the “scramble special” which changes regularly but on this day consisted of tomato and bacon, served with breakfast potatoes and toast.

The stack of pancakes were served warm and the maple syrup was soaked up by the large, fruit and nut filled pancake. By contrast, the scramble special of the day was much more savory. Both were excellent and I would most definitely recommend should you see them on the menu when you visit. However, over the years I’ve learned that everything on their breakfast menu is delicious and worth the calories so check out Cafe Heaven on your next visit to Provincetown.

Scramble of the Day: Tomatoes and Bacon $14.95

Cafe Heaven is open daily (in season) from 8AM – 2PM for breakfast and lunch and from 6PM-10PM for dinner.

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Baked Salmon with a cucumber & tomato salad, served with mustard dill sauce and rice

It has been too long since I last shared a recipe so in lieu of sharing another restaurant review I wanted to share a slightly modified recipe I picked up from epicurious.com, that was really excellent.

Sergio does not care for salmon and earlier this month he was away so I used the opportunity to make baked salmon with a mustard dill sauce. I served it alongside a cucumber and tomato salad and brown rice. The recipe has two steps; first making the mustard dill sauce followed by baking the salmon. Despite the two step approach, this healthy dinner was easy to make. The recipe shared below will serve 3-4 people.

Step 1: Making the mustard dill sauce:

To make the sauce you will need approximately one half of a small to medium sized vidalia onion, 8 ounces of sour cream, 2 tablespoons of dijon mustard and 2 tablespoons of fresh dill finely chopped.

The first step is to mince approximately half of a medium sized vidalia onion and add it into a mixing bowl with the remaining ingredients: 8 ounces of sour cream, 2 tablespoons of dijon mustard and 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh dill along with salt and ground pepper to taste. Whisk the entire mixture and let it sit on the counter for 45 minutes – 1 hour. The point is to let the ingredients combine and ensure it is applied to the salmon at room temperature.

Full disclosure: I added slightly more mustard and dill, but if you taste as you mix the sauce you can ensure it is precisely to your liking.

Step 2: Baking the salmon:

First preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and once the oven is ready place your salmon (1 lb – 1.25 lbs filet) skin side down on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Add salt and pepper and one minced garlic clove (the garlic is optional but I can’t imagine cooking without using garlic) to the top of the salmon filet.

Take approximately 1/3 of a cup of the sauce and liberally cover the entire filet. I also covered the sides of the salmon. Place the salmon in the oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, check to see if the filet is cooked to your liking. I turned off my oven, slightly opened its door and let the salmon sit for another two minutes before I took it out to plate it.

While I was making the sauce, I also was cooking brown rice, but since there are different cooking times depending on the rice you use, follow those directions to ensure you have a well cooked grain to accompany the salmon.

While the salmon was in the oven, I peeled and sliced a cucumber and chopped a tomato. I used the extra mustard dill sauce to add to both the salad and the the salmon after I plated it. I will definitely make this again when Sergio is out of town. Although he may not care for salmon, this is one of the best meals I have cooked in a long time. The fact that it is was so easy to make, clean up and fairly healthy is an added bonus.

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The Boston JerkFest™ is an outdoor/indoor family-friendly Caribbean style foodie festival that features Jamaican jerk spiced food and all things spicy and hot on Saturday, June, 24, 2017 at the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology in the South End with two sessions: 11am-3pm and 4-8pm.

The Rum & Brew Tasting @ Boston JerkFest will take place on Friday, June 23, 2017 , 6:30-9:30pm (6pm for VIP) at the same location. This 21+ event features live musicand unlimited tastings of rum, local craft beer and a variety of Caribbean themed libations.

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Last week Boston joined a short list of cities that UberEats operates. The delivery service operates much like the company’s ride-sharing app. You download the app, log in, select a restaurant and order. You pay with the card you have on file and can watch as your order is delivered to wherever you are.

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Calling all foodies: Sunday, April 9th COCHON555 – a self-described “epic culinary experience centered on 1,500 pounds of heritage breed pork” will take place in the SOWA Power Station (that large building by the BSC and Gaslight parking lot). In addition to serving up dozens of chef-crafted tastings you will be able to wash down all that pork from more than forty boutique wines, craft cocktails and artisanal brews.

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Do you enjoy wine? Next weekend, February 18-19, 2017 is the annual Boston Wine Expo and tickets are selling fast for this popular event which sells out.

This year’s two day event will feature more than 1,800 wines from more than 200 wineries. In addition to a lot of great wines, the 2017 Boston Wine Expo will feature multiple ways to learn about and sample great wine and food. For those of you who enjoy wine this is a great local event not to be missed.

More information about the two day event and to purchase tickets visit their website wine-expos.com.